Abstract: The disclosure relates to the production and the use, by genetic engineering, of plasmids and bacterial strains containing, on a short, precisely characterizable DNA segment, the gene tfdA or a gene almost identical to tfdA.The novel plasmids and microorganisms are suitable for the production of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid)-monooxygenase, and as starting materials for the transfer, by genetic engineering of the 2,4-D-degrading property of this enzyme to various organisms.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to compositions and methods for improving transformation efficiency. The compositions, synthetic marker genes, are used in transformation methods and result in increased transformation efficiency. The synthetic marker genes can be designed for maximum expression in any system.

Abstract: A plant, the nuclear genome of which is transformed with a foreign DNA sequence encoding a product which neutralizes the activity of another product which disrupts the metabolism, functioning and/or development selectively of the plant's flower cells, particularly reproductive organ cells, or seed cells or embryo cells. The foreign DNA sequence also optionally encodes a marker.

Abstract: A method for isolating a cereal plant with foreign DNA by bombarding meristem primordia tissue with particles coated with the foreign DNA in a culture media is described. The foreign DNA in the transformed plants can provide proteins which impart disease and/or insect resistance or other desirable properties.

Abstract: Regulatory regions from maize .alpha.-tubulin genes are disclosed. In particular, 5' regulatory regions comprising an upstream regulatory ensemble (URE) from maize .alpha.-tubulin 1 and 3 genes is useful in tissue specific expression of heterologous genes in transformed plants. The maize .alpha.-tubulin URE comprises regulatory elements which when operably linked to a promoter and heterologous gene, confer regulated expression in roots, pollen and meristematic tissues. Expression constructs which confer tissue specific expression are also provided.

Abstract: Genes encoding Class II EPSPS enzymes are disclosed. The genes are useful in producing transformed bacteria and plants which are tolerant to glyphosate herbicide. Class II EPSPS genes share little homology with known, Class I EPSPS genes, and do not hybridize to probes from Class I EPSPS's. The Class II EPSPS enzymes are characterized by being more kinetically efficient than Class I EPSPS's in the presence of glyphosate. Plants transformed with Class II EPSPS genes are also disclosed as well as a method for selectively controlling weeds in a planted transgenic crop field.

Abstract: An inbred maize line, designated PHOC7, the plants and seeds of inbred maize line PHOC7, methods for producing a maize plant produced by crossing the inbred line PHOC7 with itself or with another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line PHOC7 with another maize line or plant.

Abstract: A Brassica promoter (hsp80) has been isolated which can provide for constitutive expression of heterologous genes in a wide range of tissues and organs. Various deletion mutants and hybrid promoters are described which retain activity and/or which show enhanced activity. Upstream activating sequences are described which separately and in combination can provide for constitutive gene expression. These sequences can also confer constitutive expression on heterologous, non-constitutive promoters.